If you go
› What: Pops on the River› Where: Coolidge Park, 200 River St.› When: 5-10 p.m. Tuesday, July 3› Admission: Free› For more information: 423-265-0771
The CSO concert draws thousands of fans to Coolidge Park to hear the free concert and enjoy the fireworks extravaganza.The Chattanooga Symphony & Opera’s most anticipated concert of the year is set for Tuesday, July 3, in Coolidge Park, 200 River St.
The annual Pops on the River Independence Day celebration draws thousands of tri-state residents for a night of picnicking and patriotism in the park. Visitors may bring their own picnic dinners or purchase food from the variety of concessions available on-site. Bring blankets or portable lawn chairs for seating.
Entertainment will begin at 5 p.m. with a special tribute to veterans featuring singers and songwriters from Operation Song, a musical therapeutic program for veterans.
The CSO, conducted by Kayoko Dan, will begin its pops concert at 8 p.m. The orchestra’s program will include two numbers from Georges Bizet’s “Carmen,” medley from “The Sound of Music,” “Chattanooga Choo Choo” and “Tennessee Waltz.”
There will also be flag-waving patriotic pieces such as an Armed Forces salute, “The Thunderer” march by John Philip Sousa, “Stars and Stripes Forever” and, as is tradition, the “1812 Overture” leading into a fireworks extravaganza at about 9:45 p.m.
A mobile mural by Latino artists, made possible through an Equity in the Arts grant from ArtsBuild, will be on exhibit in the Peace Grove at Coolidge Park during this year’s pops concert.
Traffic Advisory: Coolidge Park will close to vehicular traffic at 4 p.m. Tuesday. A free shuttle service will run from the Republic parking lots (previously Unum lots) between Fourth and Fifth streets from 4:30 to 11 p.m. The lots are pay-to-park. Shuttle pick-up and drop-off on the north side of the river will be near the Chattanooga Theatre Centre, 400 River St.
Pops on the River is produced by Chattanooga Presents. For more information: 423-265-0771.
Star-Spangled Supper at Theatre Centre
Enjoy the CSO music and fireworks with friends at the Chattanooga Theatre Centre on Tuesday, July 3.
Purple Lady Sonia Young is hosting the CTC’s annual July Fourth fundraiser, Star-Spangled Supper. Doors will open at 6 p.m. before dinner is served from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
A barbecue dinner will be catered by Sugar’s Ribs with ice cream from Clumpies. Soda, wine and beer will be sold.
After dinner, enjoy the concert and the fireworks from the CTC’s riverfront veranda and lawn.
The event will include a sing-along and auction of gift baskets from community businesses and organizations.
Admission is $50 for adults, $10 for children 12 and under, free for kids 3 and under. Proceeds benefit the programs of the CTC. Free parking is available, but guests must pick up parking passes by Friday, June 29.
For tickets, call the Theatre Centre box office at 423-267-8534 or visit TheatreCentre.com.